Concern on crime draws out Electric City group

About 30 people turned out Monday night at Electric City’s fire hall to show support for a community watch program.

The meeting largely was to determine what kind of interest people had in developing a community watch plan to help fight crime in the community.

Birdie Hensley, who has been behind the idea, read a list of the type of police report incidents the past month in Electric City to show the group that there is a lot of illegal activity in the city.

The idea of a city curfew came up again, but the group was reminded that the city might need deep pockets if the idea ever got challenged in the court system.

There was some interest in having The Star newspaper print names in its police reports.

Hensley, and Lonna Bussert, who has also been involved in the community watch idea, explained that the Grand Coulee police hadn’t been invited because organizers first wanted to hear from the citizens of their interest and ideas.

Hensley set the next meeting for 7 p.m. Aug. 27, at the Electric City fire hall. The public is invited and Hensley said the police would be invited for that meeting.

Several in the room talked about incidents that had happened to them and gave a rundown of how to keep garage doors shut and cars locked.

There has been a rash of car prowls in Electric City in past months as people leave doors unlocked and, in some cases, keys in the ignition.

Many indicated that they already look out for their neighbors when they are away, and Bussert stated that people should call the police when they see something they are not sure of.

While the meeting was called for a community watch program, Hensley said if enough people take part it could become a block watch.

The group is independent of the city and has grown out of a concern about crime reports in the city.

At a chamber of commerce meeting last Thursday, Hensley said the group is focusing on Electric City but would gladly share research on formation of such an organization with anyone from another town interested.